Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level B

Job Title

Research Manager - Dementia Therapeutics Innovation Initiative

Department

Nygaard Laboratory Division of Neurology | Department of Medicine | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$6,747.50 - $9,701.42 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

July 23, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Jul 27, 2026

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Research Manager is responsible for providing management in all areas of program development and administration for the Dementia Therapeutics Innovation Initiative (DTII), including: strategic plan development and implementation; human resources; grant development/writing; engagement with internal and external collaborators, partners and stakeholders; resource allocation; communications and knowledge translation; project management; and policy development and implementation. The Research Manager plays a key role in liaising with the Faculty of Medicine’s Development & Alumni Engagement staff to proactively support donor stewardship and accountability.

The incumbent requires minimal supervision and is independently responsible for their regular work, with a decision-making authority. They will have the ability to assess and implement work required to achieve objectives, strong organizational skills, diplomacy and the ability to provide leadership in creating positive and supportive work environments. The incumbent will work with leadership and faculty, to develop infrastructure systems of support in all areas of administration, policy and procedure interpretation, human resources, financial planning, proposal development, grant development, and other resources to support faculty and other research units in their work.

The incumbent is required to develop, foster and maintain excellent relationships, both internal and external to DTII, Faculty of Medicine and University, with an awareness of external and internal political and scientific environments. This position acts as the administrative representative for DTII, contributing to the Faculty of Medicine, and the relevant UBC units and partner organizations through participation in various committees, working groups, meetings and projects.

Organizational Status

Ranked among the world’s top medical schools with the fifth-largest MD enrollment in North America, the University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty of Medicine is a leader in both the science and the practice of medicine. Across British Columbia, more than 11,000 faculty and staff are training the next generation of doctors and health care professionals, making remarkable discoveries, and helping to create the pathways to better health for our communities at home and around the world.

Despite a dramatic increase in Alzheimer’s disease research over the last 25 years, and more than 200 clinical trials of promising candidate drugs, very few new medications for this devastating disease have emerged since 2003. This amounts to billions of dollars spent on development with almost no tangible return on investment—either for investors or, more importantly, for patients.

The DTII was established to leverage UBC’s world class academic resources and accelerate future drug development and therapeutic interventions in Alzheimer's disease. It is anchored in innovative preclinical human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) models, through the collaborative work of Drs. Miller, MacVicar, and Nygaard. At its core, the DTII will be driven by dual objectives:

1. To identify target genes, proteins, and pathways implicated in AD and

2. To discover novel therapies that can effectively manipulate them.

The Research Manager will work closely with the core DTII faculty, and liaise with new faculty and staff as the program grows.

Work Performed

Strategic Initiatives and Direction:

• Leads the DTII Team to implement strategic priorities, goals and objectives for the Initiative; establishes and participates in other committees, working groups, task forces as required in support of strategic priorities and administrative and operational efficiencies ensuring wide ranging stakeholder representation and engagement.
• Works under the direction of the Senior Director, Research, Faculty of Medicine and in partnership with the DTII academic leaders. A key focus will be developing a plan for long-term sustainability to support the continuation and expansion of the Initiative.
• Assists with the development of strategic administrative and research initiatives for the DTII and its members; aligns overall management and administrative functions of the DTII within its mission, vision and strategic priorities and those of UBC.
• Manages the implementation of specific initiatives in support of DTII strategic and operational priorities and opportunities; provides administrative and project oversight and reporting as needed.
• Working with the Initiative’s academic leaders, participates in the development, facilitation and management of strategic partnerships and the development of agreements, working with appropriate UBC and external agencies, including Faculty executive, government ministries, University Administration, health authorities, non-profit organizations, industry, granting agencies and clinical sites across the Province as required to achieve common goals and objectives.

Human Resources and Leadership:

• Participates in the strategic planning and management of human resource activities in the DTII ensuring equity and compliance with employment agreements.
• Manages DTII human resources services, employee relations, staff development, equity and terms of employment.
• Ensures engagement opportunities for staff, faculty, and trainees involved in the DTII through meetings, events, participating in projects and committees, inclusion in the DTII, and UBC-wide activities, individual and group consultation, etc.
• Establishes and maintains strong and strategic working relationships to identify, secure, support and monitor international activities that advance the priorities of the DTII; facilitate collaborative working relationships with national and international organizations; and identify partnership opportunities and facilitate the dissemination and exchange of research knowledge.

Grant and Project Development:

• Identifies, pursues and negotiates institutional, provincial, federal and international funding opportunities to support development and implementation of DTII initiatives, projects, and knowledge translation activities. Writes, submits and maintains research ethics approval for core projects of the DTII.
• Engages relevant collaborators and partners in the development of research projects and funding applications
• Manages leading edge research projects, including writing, editing and submitting collaborative funding applications to enhance interdisciplinary research in cell therapies at UBC and with other institutions, including large-scale grants.

Finance and Resources:

• Oversees financial activity in the DTII and the development of financial models to manage budgets, funding allocations, revenue and expense projection and analysis in support of business operations, strategic priorities and long term (5-10 year) planning; oversees the development of systems and processes to resolve problems and improve management of financial resources.
• Reviews DTII budgets and financial analyses/summaries, evaluates priorities and makes recommendations for budget reductions and management of available resources; provides advice and recommendations for managing budgets.
• Liaises with Faculty of Medicine Finance staff and other UBC finance personnel.

Communications and Knowledge Translation:

Working with Faculty of Medicine’s Office of Creative and Communications and Development and Alumni Engagement Office, assists with development, implementation and maintenance of DTII communication strategies and systems, tools and projects (website, email distribution lists, communication, social media accounts, bulletins/newsletters, reports, etc.).

Oversees DTII internal and external communications ensuring recognition of DTII members and achievements.

Identifies relevant external stakeholders and develops effective knowledge translation activities (e.g., lay summaries, workshops, etc.) to disseminate research findings from DTII research activities of faculty and trainees.

Oversees event organization and management and related costs.

Other:

Interprets University, Faculty, and partner institution policies and procedures; develops and implements DTII policies and procedures in alignment with these and to meet goals and objectives in consideration of relevant internal and external requirements.

Liaises with internal and external units and organizations on behalf of the DTII; participates in various committees and working groups, contributing towards goals and objectives.

Exercises considerable judgment and decision making in DTII operations, resource allocation and human resource management.

Acts on behalf of the DTII as delegated/requested.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Considerable judgement is required for all areas of DTII development, operations and resource management including the delegation of responsibilities and decision-making. Errors in judgment could lead to inappropriate decisions impacting DTII finances and other resources, the efficiency and effectiveness of DTII operations and the reputation of the DTII involved Faculties and University.

A high degree of accuracy and initiative is required and relied upon by the Network’s academic leaders and others in decision-making and effective implementation of strategic priorities, operational management, problem resolution and in addressing unique situations and opportunities.

Errors in judgement in handling personnel issues could lead to legal/financial issues, disruption to DTII activities, grievances and impact the reputation of the Initiative, Faculties and University.

Supervision Received
The DTII Research Manager works independently, primarily reporting to Dr. Haakon Nygaard and the academic leaders within the DTII. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of long-term goals.

Supervision Given
Direct and indirect supervision of administrative and education staff members through multiple levels of subordinates with responsibilities in administration, human resources, finance, education, IT, space, health and safety, communications and faculty support is anticipated once the program grows.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• A PhD in a relevant discipline including the biological, health, or social sciences is strongly preferred
• Experience working at a management level within an academic setting with related experience in strategy development and implementation of academic and research programs.
• Experience in a senior administrative role managing complex relationships, preferably in a University environment or other large organization is also desirable.
• Knowledge and experience in organizational governance.
• Demonstrated experience in financial, human resources and communications management.
• Experience in the review of research proposals and development of program reports.
• Experience in grant development and writing and familiarity with the policies and procedures of national and international funding agencies.
• Demonstrated experience in UBC financial, human resources and communications management is an asset.
• Proven ability to successfully recruit, mentor, manage, discipline and terminate staff.
• Proven ability to work with or direct and lead a team.
• Proven ability assessing opportunities in a variety of science and technical disciplines.
• Excellent research, analytical, negotiation, partnership development, project management, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to deal tactfully with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Mastery of English grammar and punctuation is essential, with the ability to read health research text analytically and critically, and make substantive editorial recommendations to improve readability, clarity and impact.
• Demonstrated comfort with technical writing and effective translation of complex scientific information into clear and succinct language for a broader audience is essential.
• Creative problem solving and decision-making; mentorship abilities.
• Computer competency with knowledge of spreadsheet, database, and word processing applications.
• Ability to work at the highest strategic levels, to gain and maintain the respect of senior administration and also to take strategy and move it through to tactics and action.
• Ability to deal with senior University Officers and external stakeholders in a manner which facilitates cooperation and consensus building.
• Ability to be comfortable, credible and persuasive within academic, government or business environments; ability to initiate, build and nurture academic and research partnerships.
• Demonstrated effective leadership, motivational and planning abilities.
• Excellent political acuity, tact, judgment and discretion.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate policy and procedural requirements.
• Must be highly self-motivated and sustain a high degree of initiative.
• Proven ability to analyze, prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Proven judgment and decision-making skills, particularly in areas where there are no established policies or guidelines.
• Ability to take initiative, manage effectively and meet goals in a complex environment.
• Ability to foresee, prevent and resolve conflicts and other problems.
• Must be a talented and fluent writer, able to concisely summarize information and provide a rationale for action.